Abstract
We examined baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and blood pressure response to stress tests in climacteric hypertensive women (CHW) and ovariectomized hypertensive women (OxHW) and compared the results with those obtained in climacteric normotensive women (CNW) and essential hypertensive women (EHW). BRS was markedly reduced in CHW and OxHW compared with CNW and EHW. The blood pressure response to mental arithmetic test was significantly higher in CHW and OxHW than in CNW. On the other hand, the blood pressure response to isometric handgrip exercise in CHW and OxHW was similar to that in CNW. Aortic pulse wave velocity, used as an indicator of arteriosclerosis, in CHW and OxHW was similar to that in CNW. The blood pressure response to mental arithmetic test showed a significant inverse correlation with BRS. After estrogen replacement therapy in CHW and OxHW for one month, the clinic blood pressure fell significantly with marked improvement of BRS and attenuation of the blood pressure response to mental arithmetic test. Thus, impaired baroreflex and hyperresponsiveness of blood pressure to mental stress due to the deprivation of estrogen are considered to be important factors in the pathophysiology of hypertension in climacteric state. (Hypertens Res 1992; 15: 27-32)
